Saturday, January 09, 2010

This Pink Saturday, instead of just showing you pink goodies around my house, and in the holiday spirit, I decided to do some internet sharing and gifting. Please, if you knit, feel free to grab the pattern for the adorable Christmas tree.

Left over Candy Canes in the house? Who doesn't? I'm sharing some of my favorite, and easy ways to use them after the Christmas tree is out the door. Don't forget - those red, pink and white hues are perfect for Valentine's Day and that is just around the corner! Enjoy! (Click on the photo of the recipe or project you would like to print.)

With both yarns held together and size US 10 needles, cast on 5 stitches.
Knit 1 row. Join and continue to knit in the round. Every third row you’ll want to increase 5 stitches by knitting in the front and the back of that stitch.
Row 1: * k1fb *
Row 2 and 3: k all
Row 4: * k1fb k1 *
Rows 5 and 6 : k all
Row 7: * k1fb k2 *
Row 8 and 9: k all
Row 10: * k1fb k3*
Row 11 & 12: k all

Continue these 3 rows, increasing 5 stitches every 3rd row as established until desired height is achieved. For the tree in the photo, continue knitting until you run out of novelty yarn. Bind off during a non-increasing row.

The base of the tree is single crocheted with the bulky yarn only, in the round using a size K hook (or hook size to give you a fairly stiff base. Loose is not the effect you’re looking for here.) until diameter of the base is the width of the tree. Sew the base to the tree, leaving an opening large enough to stuff with polyester stuffing. Once stuffed, finish the tree by sewing up the opening. Fluff.

Small ornaments can either be hung, or sewn to the tree. The tree is sturdy enough for a short string of lights as well. I like to leave mine 'naked' just cause it looks so cute when it is bare as a baby's bottom☺

Candy Cane Marshmallows

1. Pour powdered sugar in a bowl. 2. Add water 1 teaspoon at a time until you've created a thin glaze. 3. Place candy canes in a blender and blend until finely ground. 4. Place a toothpick in the end of marshmallow. 5. Roll marshmallow in glaze; covering botton and sides. 7. Roll marshmallow in candy canes until glaze is covered. 8. Place in freezer. They are done when the marshmallow pops off easily from the wax paper.

Store leftover in a bag in the freezer.Great treat to add to your hot chocolate! (Don't forget to remove the toothpick first.)

Candy Cane Instant Hot Chocolate

Ingredients

1 cup powdered milk

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup miniature chocolate chips

1/2 cup crushed peppermint candy canes

Preparation

Layer the ingredients for homemade cocoa in a jar, add a ribbon and a tag, and you have a simple but stylish gift. This mix will fill a 1-quart jar (12 servings), but if your containers are different sizes, just keep the ratio of ingredients constant. On the back of the tag, write: "Mix contents in a large bowl. For each serving, place 1/3 cup cocoa mix in a mug and stir in 1 cup boiling water. Store remaining mix in airtight container."

Yield: Makes 1 quart mix or 12 servings hot cocoa.

Candy Cane Cool Whip

This stuff is really magic because it disappears in seconds when served to guests and family. Grab your uneaten Christmas candy canes and unwrap. Break in to chunks (the kids ♥ this part) and using your blender, crush them to powder with a little chunk here and a little chunk there left to add interest and texture.

For 16 oz. of whipping cream or Cool Whip, I use 1/2 cup of powdered peppermint candy folded in gently. It makes a fun pink cream with some tiny chunks. Make your hot cocoa and plop a nice, fluffy dollop of this fun topping into your cup. To store left over cream, just place it back into your emptied Cool Whip container and pop into the fridge or you may freeze again if you don't think you'll be using it up soon. If you need to store leftover peppermint powder, pour into a container with a tight lid and place in the cupboard away from heat.

40 comments:

Most awesome ideas and recipes!!! Thank you, can't wait to give them a try. A clever crafty mom one time in my daughters class also made little Valentine hearts out of candy canes for Valentine's day, you simply glue the two curved ends together and bring the ends to a point, another dab of hot glue, and voila a heart!! cute huh?Happy Pink SaturdayHugs ♥ Teresa

I always love the ideas that you come up. I was not able to get candy canes this year, just not available all the time in the stores here, and i missed them. So I am gonna try your choc. meringue treats, since they not only look yummy but I love that they have so few calories! ~~ debby

Hi Mimi! Thank you for visiting me on my first Pink Saturday! I have NOT used up all my pinkness - pink keeps coming my way. This time of year brings so much sweetness because of Love Day and a daughter's birthday and two granddaughters! Oh, and chocolate, pink and brown! Candy cane hot chocolate is a wonderful idea!

Thank you so much for sharing what to do with the leftover candy canes. I buy them every year, but the kids are grown and only maybe eat one. My curio was a dark wood. I painted it last year. Hubby said, oh you're making a mistake. When it was done, he said 'Bravo'. Good luck with yours. Rosie

This is a gorgeous and YUMMY post!!! Happy Pink Saturday (yesterday) to you! I am a bit late in getting around. I love the knitted tree...wish I could knit...I do crochet, wonder if I could adapt the pattern? The candy cane marshmallows look scruptious...The "cocoa jar" is so inviting...You outdid yourself on this one! Thanks for stopping by my pink post. Have a blessed week!Hugs,Marilyn

What wonderful ideas. You have been neglected by me, I seem to be behind. This is a lovely post, I love the music too.I am working hard on me, change can be wonderful, but not easy. You are a Valentine for my heart, Big Hugs, Mary

Hi, Mimi,Thank you so much for stopping by Bunny Cottage! These are terrific ideas for candy canes, and yes, I have a box left of them. Thanks for sharing the recipes and tips! I hope you have a wonderful Sunday and blessed upcoming week! I read your new year's goals and these are my goals, too. Really enjoyed reading them! Vicki

Hi dearest Mimi, I'm also "a bit" too late - and don't have any Dollar ;-) (just Euros, but not so many :o)) but I want to tell you that I really like this "sweeties" - my favourite is the Marshmallow-candle!Have a wonderful week!!!Hugs to you - and to your pink heart ;-)Traude

Hi Mimi! Such a wonderful post with really good ideas. I checked out the chocolate meringue kisses too! That would be a great recipe to share with my weight watcher's group. We're always looking for semi-harmless ways to get our chocolate fix! I enjoyed visiting your blog. I'll be coming back to check it out again. Have a great week, and thanks for stopping by. -Terri

Hi Mimi,First, I have to say that your comment has to be the sweetest I've received this year...Thank you for brightening my Sunday. Wonderful Pink Saturday post...great ideas for the left over candy canes and cute little pink knitted tree. Have a wonderful day.

Hi Mimi, I'm also doing my pink saturday rounds a little late. We have extreme heat in Melbourne at the moment so I'm doing short stints at the computer. Too hot to do much except stay cool or sit in a pool, lol..... a good excuse to do 'nothing', lol.

What a fabulous post and happy pink Saturday. My husband was happily eating a candy cane today I had left in my car from the holidays. And I love the cocoa and cool whip ideas and will surely use them. I have tons of candy canes left over. Do you know the story of the origin of the candy cane?

♥Mimi♥

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